CAPT Matthew Smidt

Executive Officer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001)

08 August 2023 Captain Matthew Smidt, a native of Seattle, Washington, Captain Smidt attended Washington State University graduating in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Seattle University, graduating in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Change Management.

At sea, he served onboard USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) taking part in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) as Reactor Mechanical (2 Plant) Division Officer taking part in Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, aboard USS CURTS (FFG 38) as Combat Systems Officer taking part in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO ONE as Staff Director and Advance Echelon Team Officer in Charge during PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2010 mission to Cambodia and Timor Leste.  CAPT Smidt served as Executive Officer onboard USS CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG 62) winning the 2016 Spokane trophy, and USS SPRUANCE (DDG 111). 

CAPT Smidt commanded USS SPRUANCE completing a dynamic force employment deployment to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets with JOHN C. STENNIS Strike Group and winning the 2018 Battle “E” for Destroyer Squadron TWO ONE and the Vice Admiral Thomas H. Copeman III Maintenance Readiness Award.

Ashore, CAPT Smidt served as Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific detachment Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as Assistant Officer in Charge and on the Chief of Naval Operations staff as the lead of the Plans and Policy section of Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion (OPNAV N134) and the Surface Warfare Branch (OPNAV N96) where he managed fleet training, total ship training capability and assisted on manpower wholeness special projects.  CAPT Smidt completed a Federal Executive Fellowship to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory contributing to multiple fleet integration programs.  Most recently CAPT Smidt served as the Deputy, Defense Plans and Policy for the U.S. Mission to NATO representing the U.S. in the Alliance Defense Plans and Policy Committee.

CAPT Smidt’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, and various other personal, service, campaign, and unit awards.